City Council Meeting

>> Okay. >> I'm good. All right. Welcome everybody to the May 16th, 2023, regular city council meeting for Gulfport, Florida. Our invocation tonight's given by Vice Mayor Paul Ray followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Please join us in standing. >> Time to time when the world gets quiet and the only thing left is your own heart. So you better learn the sound of it, otherwise you'll never understand what it's saying. Susan Sarah Desa. >> Nice. >> I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Roll call please, City Clerk. >> Vice Mayor Ray? >> Here. >> Council member Ohara? >> Here. >> Council Member Thanos? >> Council Member Brown? >> Here. >> Mayor Henderson? >> Here. >> City Attorney Salzman? >> Here. >> City Manager Oreilly. >> Here. >> City Clerk, Carrico. Present. >> All right. So no presentations this evening, so we're going straight to open public comment. So this is likewise or anything not on the agenda, um, including the consent agenda for which there's no public comment. So if you have anything, uh, you want to speak on that's not on the agenda tonight, feel- feel free to raise your hand, you've got three minutes. Please give your name and address if you're comfortable with it. Yes, maam. >> Hi, Francine Whitten. I have two things. One, the first thing is about the food pantries. Yesterday I went to the food pantry and there was ice cream, cottage cheese, yogurt in the food pantry that had popped open because they. >> No. >> Were- yeah, an- it's sad. I mean, I volunteer to do this. I go sit somewhere or sometimes three hours to collect food to put here. Because that's what it's all about, is helping everybody. That's- but we've been finding open beer bottles in the food pantries, we've been finding prescription pills in there, the label has been torn off. But what if a child comes up and takes something? Your-, you know, we can't chance that, I don't understand. Yesterday, there was two boxes of rotten bananas. If the people would have-, I mean, other people brought them, put them in the side of the thing where they- they go better, or they put bread out there and the creatures all get them instead of the people, and nobody's just taking care of it. And today, there was mashed potatoes and, I mean, frozen ones, but they were all warm and yucky. And a lady says, Why- why- why are you throwing them away? I says, maam, I says, I don't want you or anybody else to get sick on any of this food. I says, we put it here to help everybody, and we will do it. But- so we're going to start- I- I want to start bringing it to Jackson and out and-. >> Bunkie farming >> Bunkie- Thank you. And they're going to take it, they have refrigeration and freezer, and people can go there and get it because people still need it, you know. So, that's my one thing. My second thing is that there's somebody on Facebook who keeps trashing all of you that you all just can't get along and you all need to grow up and behave. And you know what, it's all about- that's why we all get along because everybody has an opinion, and so you have an opinion, and you listen to it. You have an opinion, we'll listen to it. And that's why- that's Gulfport. That's what it's all about, and it's just bothers me that somebody would, you know, I've lived here over 40 years and I love y'all and I'm still going to volunteer, so if you can't get rid of me. >> We love you too >> All right. Thanks. Anyone else for public comment- Open public comment today? Yes. Ms. Love. >> First of all, Mayor, I'm sorry for your loss. >> Thanks. >> Okay. >> So, um, I can only imagine the frustration that each and every one of you feel, um, about this whole home rule and the changes that are being made in every session. Um, I can't imagine being in your place and wanting to take care of things and then the State telling you you can't. That being said, I feel that same anger and frustration when it comes to women's reproductive rights, reproductive health care. And, um, last week, all over the news, I think it happened last Thursday that there was a baby in the Tampa area, that was found in the trash can and I have to say that when I heard that story, my very first thought was my memories from the '60s, and 70's, early '70s. When that was not that uncommon, you heard stories like that a lot. The media was very good to quickly inform and tell everybody that if they had a child that they did not want that they could bring them to the fire stations in the safe boxes. And so that's one question I do have heard the City Manager of the fire department tonight is do we offer that service here in Gulfport? Okay. So that's my question to you. Then the next part of my statement really has to do with just you know, tremendous fear I feel. Prior to the 15-week ban going into place, which was approximately one year ago, Florida was the number 1 state for abortions in the country with nearly 80,000 the previous year. That's a lot of abortions. Um, I'm absolutely terrified now that we're down to the 15-week, and with great threats of the six-week ban coming into effect, I have tremendous fear that we're going to hear about more babies in trash cans and women in, uh, coat hangers and all of this. So I just would like to say that there's a group called Floridians Protecting Freedom, who have come out with a petition asking to get this onto the ballot in 2024, women's reproductive rights, or I should just call it reproductive healthcare, to get it onto the ballot, I do have those ballots, and if anyone's interested in signing, they could see me after the meeting outside. Okay. And then, um, then the last thing I just want to say when she talks about trashing counsel, what I have found is that the people who are trashing the council routinely, are folks who have never stepped foot in here, can barely get off the bar stools and think they know everything. >> Extra credit. >> All right, anyone else for public comment? Yes, Miss Tober. >> Condolences, Mayor. >> Um, that's very nice. Look is in a great spot, looks really nice. I wanted to thank the City Clerk for a matter she handled last week, um, with great grace and professionalism. And I also wanted to follow up on something that Attorney Salzman said, I believe it was last week, with regard to public records requests and the costs, um, when you request the a public records request, if it's over a certain number of hours, um, you have to pay a fee, and it's an estimate, and then it comes back and there may be an additional charge. What I'm trying to understand is, can that additional charge be just anything regardless of what the original estimate was? Thank you. >> All right, thank you. Anyone else for open public comment? All right. Seeing no one, City Manager's report. >> The only item, um, in response to Miss Lub's question, yes we do. We have a safe place for, children can be infants could be dropped off at the fire station. And you've seen. >> And that's what the signs represent. >> That's you've seen the yellow sign on the buildings. That's what it's for. >> I thought that was for like grown children or juniors. >> Any- any type of child. That's all I have Mayor. >> All right. City Clerk, um, City Attorney? >> No report Mayor. >> City Clerk? >> No report Mayor. >> All right, it brings us to the consent agenda. >> Well the only item on that would be your appointment we would need a name for you to submit. >> Yeah, I'd like to keep Jerry Read, she's interested in- in retaining, so I'd like to keep him. >> Who is that? >> Jerry Read. >> Consent Item 5a, Resolution Number 2023-35. A resolution appointing a member to serve on the Planning and Zoning Board/ Local Planning Agency, and providing for a term of appointment. >> All right, you want to to entertain a motion, Council. >> I'll make a motion on the consent agenda. >> Second. >> All right, I have a first and a second. All in favor signify by saying aye. >> Aye. >> Carries to passage unanimously, >> Aye. bringing us to ordinances beginning with ordinance number 2023-03. >> Ordinance number 2023-03, first reading an ordinance of the City of Gulfport, Florida, authorizing the city manager to enter into a lease agreement with the Boca Ciega Yacht Club Incorporated, as attached to and made part of this ordinance, providing for the repeal of ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith to the extent of such conflict, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date. >> All right. Council, you want to entertain a motion? >> I move that we approve Ordinance number 2023-03. >> Second. >> At this point we need to specify which of those options, or will we just have to amend that motion? >> You can amend after your discussion. >> Okay. All right, I'll turn it over to you. >> Okay. Mayor, City Attorney, and I did meet with representatives a subsequent meeting with the representatives of the Boca Ciega Yacht Club. I believe, um, city attorney can speak more to this, but- but both issues were resolved other than the area that lays- lies east of the building, has approximately 22 by 150 feet, is the only issue. We had agreed to let council determine which- which exhibit they would like to endorse, and approve. Um, the city's position is that the area is open, and there's non-exclusive use. The area- the Boca Ciega Yacht Club request was to have exclusive use of that area. Amy. >> That- what City Manager said is what we've negotiated, and that was the only outstanding issue. >> So that'll be added to the lease agreement, whichever you have If I were to go. >> Whichever council decides. >> All right. Remind me, we talked about it went back and forth. Public first or us first? >> Public first. >> All right. Public comment on this item, >> Public first. and I will ask, is there anyone speaking as a spokesperson for the yacht club, or is everyone going to speak individually? Okay. >> Good evening, some of you know me, my name is John Buckley. I'm the current Commodore of Boca Ciega Yacht Club, and I'm also a slip renter, um, in the drive lot. Um, first of all, I'd like to thank Mr. O'reilly, Mr. Salzman, and the City Council for allowing us to continue to negotiate, and I think that we have come up with a fair and pretty equitable lease for all parties. We have a newly graduated group of sales school students who are eager to get out of the water and to enjoy the Gulfport community, and I'm happy to be able to tell them that we'll be here to help them do both. Um, at this time, I would like to ask those who are in attendance, and in supp-, wow. See how well they listen. How many of you here are Gulfport residents? Please raise your hand. >> Okay. >> We are missing about 25-ish members, they are on their way to Venice to race in the Bone Island Regatta and would like me to say they're putting their hands up too. Um, by the way, the link to the races on our home page, if you'd like to follow them. We have four boats representing Gulfport. Um, our board has approved the lease and provided additional input to both the City Manager and the City Attorney regarding the footprint for which we asked the City Council's consideration. Specifically, we have concerns, um, regarding the area along the sea wall. The lack of actual dimensions to determine liability, should anything happen. And of course, nobody wants anything bad to happen, but it could, it does, unfortunately. Um, and that's also part of us being able to figure out our insurance policy as well. Er, turns out insurance companies aren't real thrilled when you can't point out your actual dimensions of the space that you're renting versus what you're not renting. Um, after all, BCYC isn't renting out the entire space at 4,600 Tifton Drive South, we're renting a portion of it. Um, we're also concerned about it being open, and the security of our items that are left on the property. We've got sheds, we've got equipment, um, everything is as locked down as it can possibly be. However, um, there are enterprising souls out there who think that if it's not actually glued to the ground, it's fair game. Um, finally, with regards to security, we are concerned about the public having access- potentially having access, simply because we have Sea Scouts, and we have Youth Sailing. Um, BCYC does background checks and vets all of our members to protect the kids that are in our care. As a reminder, Youth Sailing is the free summer sailing program for Gulfport residents and Gulfport children. And we take that security very- very seriously. So we're asking that you consider the alter, sorry, the alternative footprint that was submitted and is marked as BCYC Exhibit B 2023 boundary PDF. And we're happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you. >> All right, thank you. Anyone else for open public- public comment on this item? Certain. >> Hello everybody, Walter Barker, Trade Wind drive. This is being a big issue coming up for the diocese, and I think transparency is really important here. Ian would agree I think clarity. And so, you know, I'm looking at the, you know, the minutes, but I'm not seeing any details about this lease. I haven't heard any details mentioned about this lease. The lease hasn't been read to this group assembled today, so we can understand the lease. Maybe the people who negotiated very much in private, understand the lease, but I think in the interests of transparency that, you know, there ought to be some explanation- some detailed explanation about the lease, the terms of the lease, etc, beyond the area that's in dispute, and I'm not involved with that. I'm just looking for transparency in the process. So with that, I'll hope you'll provide it. Thank you. >> All right, thank you. Is that not available online? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> We need to pull up the online agenda? >> Yes. >> And all the, okay, addendums and okay. Anyone else for public comment on this item? Yeah, um, Michelle. >> Good evening. Thank you. Um I- I believe that if everybody's in agreement on all of the terms except for the perimeters, then certainly I would have no question with that. What I'm not clear on is what the perimeters are. I'm- I'm keenly aware because of past and many years ago I was a member of the club and I am keenly aware of that Seawall area and the importance of that being included in the parameters of the club because of liabilities and because of the activities that go on there. And so that's what I'd like to be clear on. And once I have that clarity, I- I'd like to say that I'm certainly in support of- of you doing it that way. Thank you. >> Thank you. Anyone else for public comment? Yes. >> Hi, I'm Mary Hanrahan. I'm a resident of the Marina district, and I frequently walk down by the club and down to clean Byu there. I don't see a lot of people on that public grass at the end of- I guess it's the end of Tifton Street where it goes into the water. So I really don't see why city council or the city negotiators, whoever it is, decided that they want that piece of ground in front of the club- between the Club Patio and the water to be open to the public. I just don't see people down there using it, and I see it much more advantageous for the club to be able to use that and just close off the perimeter with a straight fence line each side, instead of having that piece around there where, you know, it's harder to see what's going on. So I'm in favor of the club having access to that- exclusive access to that area. Thank you. >> Anyone else for public comment? Yes. McCennar. >> David Cantor, 5709 16th Avenue South. You'll have to excuse me. I'm not going to be as articulate as I normally am. I am exhausted. I have a toddler that is at home throwing up and sick. I have a wife who is also ill because it gets transmitted around and I'm hoping to do my best to like distance and be good. Um, I got to say like, it's- it's been many years that we've been having this conversation. It's been many years that we've been coming here. I have been engaged with conversations with you all for over three years, nearly four years. Um as my wife and I both shared and she sends her regrets that she couldn't be here tonight because she wanted to speak as well. Like we were members of this organization, we found out some very, very damning stuff, excuse my French, that made us take a step back and raise our concerns up to the leadership of that organization. Nothing ever came of it while we are members. This is an organization that has engaged in threats against citizens, including myself. I was personally called and shouted at and told Mr. Mayor, as I told you at that time I called you that day that I'm not allowed to talk to my city elected officials because the city is their landlord that is absolute bias. I pay property taxes in this city. I own a home in this city. I am raising a family in this city. This is supposed to be a community oriented city. That's why my wife and I moved here. We moved here to be neighbors. We moved here to be friends. We moved here to be good people and to do our part, to contribute and be supportive and help. Now, here we are, many years later, after all of this litigation, after all of the threats, after all of the back and forth, I cannot think of and correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. City manager of any other organization in Gulfport that rents property from this Gulfport, from the city of Gulfport that has threatened us about our own municipal property that has gotten their lawyers too involved in this level of lease negotiations that have acted in bad faith. Whose Commodore doesn't even live in this city. And like engaged in such behavior that lacks basic decency and an essential understanding of what it needs to be a good neighbor. Now I will be very, very adamant and clear. There are friends of mine who are in this room after tonight, may not be my friends anymore, and I'm okay with that. I also have a marine business. I have people in this room who I may lose as clients if they are clients, if some of my clients are here. I don't care. I will take the loss of money, I will take the loss of friends, to stand here and talk about what is right for our city, the right application of our municipal resources, and to very clearly say those who threaten us should not get the privilege, the absolute privilege of our municipal facilities, and keep others away from it. >> All right. Thank you. Anyone else for public comment? Yes. >> Hello. I'm Christine Crosby and I am a resident of the Marina District. I hadn't planned to speak tonight, but I am going to make a few comments if I may please. And that is, I have been a member of the Golf Board of the Bokasgayacht Club now for going on 2.5 years. I joined many years ago when we first moved to golf court in 1997. I was a member then. And then due to some business and personal things, I wasn't able to keep up with the club, but my husband and I decided to rejoin again a couple of years ago. And I have to tell you, I've been in a lot of organizations in my life. I'm going to be 78 this year. Like you all, people are people. They're all over the place and they're going to screw up sometimes. And what happens is they don't really communicate properly. They get a hair going and next thing you know you've got another problem and then you've got another problem. And I have Kinda watched this from the side, but I can just tell you, I love golf court. I love this guy for sure. And I also love this club. And why? Because these folks are incredible. They are the most generous, kind nice people you would ever want to work with. I watch the little children sailing off our backyard and it fills my heart with pride for this community that we reach out and do that kind of thing. And this club does that and has done it for many, many years on top of the Christmas boat parade, on top of helping the sheriffs with their toy drives, and so much more. You have no idea the people I meet that come in and are looking for friendships, looking for companionships, and are just looking for, you know community. And this club has offered it for a lot of years. And I would hope that the few people that have had bad experiences, for whatever the reasons, we won't name names, but we know some of them have been very malicious to this club. So I just ask that you please give every consideration to a request for this seawall property. Because I've been out there, I wouldn't want my little granddaughter run along that seawall unless I knew someone was there to watch them and take care of them, you know. And I think if it's left open, it's going to be a danger. And I think the club is only acting in the best interest of public safety as well as for our Gulfport community. So thank you for letting me talk. >> Thank you. Anyone else for public comment? All right. See no one. Council, beginning with the Vice Mayor'. >> Are we going to be talking about which part of this are talked aboutwe talk about. [ Overlapping speakers ] >> To make a choice on which of these we're moving toward so we have amend the motion at some point. >> Is that what we do? We amend the motion for this option, whichever. >> For Option A on the left or Option B. >> Personally, I've been down there. I don't- I personally think that we had talked about opening this up for the public to give more access to the public and, you know, to sit along the seawall and fish with something that I can see people doing. Okay. I think that they're giving what we've given them and, you know, they've agreed to everything. I'm good with the lease. I just- I'm leaning towards A, which is that, you know the seawall would be open. And that basically is for public access. Because otherwise, what are we going to give them? We're going to give them that little strip from the south side of where the lift is and that's it. And that's it all people would get along that side of the seawall. Okay. That's mine. >> Councilman [inaudible]. Yeah. I'm- I'm supportive of- of plan B. >> Council member Thanos. >> I'm also supportive of plan- plan B. Ihink people if they want to be fishing along the seawall or whatever, they can just go right on the other side of the canal and fish all over [inaudible] or they could go down by the beach and fish if they wanted. Um, I think that it's- it's- it's impractical and it's not safe and, um, and it doesn't make sense. So I personally would go with letting them have that area. All right. >> Council member Brown. >> Thank you. I- I have a lot to say. So >> Sure. >> I did a lot of research. This is a very difficult issue and I've spent a lot of time on it. Um, one member of the club said to me that public access means just the beach. And I- I did a lot of research on Florida statutes and I don't find anything that says what the definition of public access is. The general issue is- our definition is the ability of the general public to reach, touch, and enjoy the water's edge. To travel on the waters of the state and view the waters and the shore line from adjacent property. That is not Florida. But that's the only thing I could find that talks about public access to water. Um, it is true- it's all out of order. So I'm going to have to go in. And by the way, no one up here I don't believe, or anybody that I've ever heard has ever said anything about negative- about the wonderful things that the club has done now and in the future and in the past. They've- they've done some great things and nobody's ever disputed that. Um, the seawall, um, is open all the time, So, I mean unless you're thinking about putting a fence up to protect your child from falling in the seawall is open all the time.Um, >> I wonder also, is the fire pit included behind the A-line? Because there's a fire pit. Isn't there a fire pit? >> [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Yes. >> Is that included in the A-line or not? >> On which side. >> In the A line. >> Left side is A, right side is B. >> So is it inside the A or? >> Inside. >> Okay. By the way, also no matter what we decide, you can use the 22 Ft. That doesn't mean you can't use it, it just means everybody else can, which is a very important point to me. Fire pit. Got that. So do you have reciprocity with other clubs? >> That's both a yes and no. >> Okay. >> We have reciprocity [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Coming up. [ Overlapping speakers ] >> I'm sorry. >> I didn't know we can answer back. >> We belong to the Yachting Clubs of America, which gives us reciprocity with other clubs without us having to necessarily provide facilities or services. >> Okay. >> So, like for example, TSS, they can come and visit us, but they have to call Dennis to make arrangements for the docks. >> Okay. And the- mainly because you don't have a restaurant facility, right? Like- like St. Pete Yacht Club and stuff like that? >> Mostly, yes. There's another yachting clubs- club group that a lot of the bigger clubs belong to because they have things like bars and restaurants, you know, and some of them have rooms you can rent for the night, that kind of thing. We don't belong to that club, cause we don't have those things to offer. >> You're welcome. >> So I- I listened to a member of our community saying, >> All right. Thank you. well, can I just share the space? I want to do a different kind of a sailing activity with my children. Can I just share the space. So I thought, why can't you share the space? Just share the space people. So I went and I did some research and went to Mirabelle and she showed me every single thing that happens in the rec center like a ballet. This club- this group comes in. That group comes in and so why can't you guys do that? And so I went to see Rachel and she showed me all the things that- all the space they share and how great it is that like they have like 80 activities and they share spaces. And I'm thinking, why can't the club do that? And then I started thinking about it. The Gulfport Yacht Club. Nobody's looking at them. So I called them. And they're exactly the same as you. There's 501C37, they're a private membership, and they're exactly the same in the respect that you can't go there and use their stuff without being invited. Okay. So, why would I ask you to do something that I wouldn't- I can't ask them to do because you guys are equal I have to treat you the same. So forget the shared space thing. That didn't work out so well, although I really looked into it and I thought it could work. I'm- I'm concerned about that. Your building, although so cool, I love the building, is one name storm away from being gone. And if something happens to the roof, you can't replace anything. You've got to do a whole tear down. So that is- that's a thing. Did you know that the Marina contributes a half a million dollar a year to all the activities in Gulfport through the pilot and it's for the good of all the citizens, and expanding the Marina access to all citizens I think is my goal. I don't think I know. So let me see reciprocity. I hear you guys tried to combine about 10 years ago, both clubs; is that true? >> Yes. >> Okay. You already answered the how many people live in Gulfport? Good job on that. So I went online and I gave all the people on the dias, I have a lot of paper, sorry. Where is it? Here it is. Clearwater Community Sailing Club, where it's- it's relatively new. I gave you all very few little tibets of information about it, but we tried to ask you about this a few years ago and it was completely shunned. And maybe you didn't like the- the building, maybe you didn't like where the building sat. But it was that we had gotten money at the city level to do some planning. It wasn't set in stone, but we thought that that would be a starting point to having a sailing center where everybody could be connected, everybody could have a space, and most importantly, the other 12,000 people in Gulfport could come to. So that didn't go over well, although I feel like that is still on the table in my heart. And it's not like we want to kick you out. We want to give you a brand new building, and we're not kicking anybody out. At that time we wanted to give you brand new, clean, state of the art, commercial kitchen, meeting room, storage, everything that you wanted to have. And that was ah, not taken very well. So the Marina opening the land and sailing opportunity to other residents is my goal. And I think that- here's the question, where is this club? Is this club in your heart? Is it in your shared experiences, is it in your fellowship? Is it in your love of sailing? Where is this club? It's not in that building. Or is it the building? So I- I'm gonna advocate for opening that up for all of residents and I want to ask you to be a part of the vision. Get what you want and what you need by coming to the table with us. Because in my opinion, this is where we're going for the good of all the residents. It's a community center for everybody. So I'm advocating for that. I want to work towards that. I want you to be at the table with us because we're not kicking you out, we're just asking you to enjoy a new building. And that would go for the other club down there too. Now there- so one other thing I'm thinking of is I would like to have a sunset on this lease so that we can start now working as a city. And- would you have town hall to see where you want to go with this? But I feel like that's the direction the city is going to go in the long run. That land is not gonna- those buildings are not gonna be there. We're one name storm away. And I really, really would love to see the people up on- in Paul's ward. They probably don't come down there and they're not here tonight because they probably think they're not allowed. But really it's public land, and I'd like everybody to be able to come have a park, have a meeting space, have storage space, have common areas outside for every resident. And I'm hoping that you will come to the table when it's time for that. I advocate for A and I really believe, by the way, you do have that 22 Ft, you're just gonna share it with other people. And I don't feel like the people that are gonna come there will be bad. But although we never know, I would like to get the fire pit out and if you don't want them in put a fence up. Okay. Thanks. >> All right. Thank you. Do you mind come back up? I got a couple of questions too. I really appreciate you bringing so much of the Gulfport membership out. >> Yeah. That was a good [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> My question is about your ratio, your membership ratio today of Gulfport to non Gulfport. >> It's over 38% for sure. >> 38% Gulfport. >> Okay. >> And it's been- it comes- it goes, comes and goes. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> And we do have about 20 people who are out on boats too, that are Gulfport residents. >> All right. Thank you. I think that's the only one I had, but I appreciate the Gulfport folks coming to represent, I'll try not to make you get up and down. The seawall issue, I mean, we've got sea walls surrounding the rec center and the baseball field. There's sea walls all the way around the other side, that's a good point. So the argument about this particular, you know, 70 ft stretch of seawall, 100 ft stretch of seawall being somehow more of a risk than those, especially when you've got one around a ball field and the walking trail, ah. I don't buy that, there is an argument to- to let that remain. And to be honest, option A is far more than I wasn't initially inclined to go with. What I had envisioned was just the building for the life of that building, the walkways that lead to it, the outdoor features like the patio, and a portion of those parking spaces. I'm more than happy to move with the- with the hoist. Uh, I'm willing to- to go to that option, but without a doubt, it goes against every single thing that I was looking to, in terms of returning public land to the public, going with option B, and I 100% won't go with that. I mean, the point is if you- if you can still use that land, but if you have exclusive use, you're not allowing others to use that land. And I'm not willing to give any more land away for that, especially for- for a lease that is less than many people's mortgage on a monthly basis. So I'm not denying any of the good things historically that this club has done. I'm going to be real honest. I do still have some hard feelings about how litigation went and things that could have been handled a heck of a lot better. I know some of the folks you dealt with on the other side of that were unreasonable, but it wasn't us that was being unreasonable in that process. But we certainly got dragged down the road on it. So I think what we're offering here, option A, is further than I was initially willing to go, but out of goodwill, I'm willing to go that route. But I 100% will not vote for option B. >> Can I ask another question? >> Certainly. >> The city manager, the parkings on that picture, the first picture, the parking spaces to the north. Well, I'm saying north, but it's to the top of the picture, right there. Yeah. Where the little hand is. Thank you. Yeah. Are those- those aren't included in the other drawing, so are those- those are public parking spaces. It was my understanding the club would only get the ones by the flagpole. >> Right. >> Okay- okay. >> And you may. >> Eight here. I believe it's eight there. >> Yeah. But that's public. Right? >> Two- and two of those are handicapped [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Activities. >> And it'll- it'll be a survey delineation when- when we add that option in. This is just for visual purposes, correct? Okay. >> Um, they get the hoist which they installed anyway. Um, the boat ramp is now open to anybody, correct? >> Used but not exclusive use? Yes. >> All right. Yes- yeah everybody means everybody and all the parking, um, along, um, the tree line is open to the public. Okay. What I'm-I'm a little concerned about that fire pit. Do you- do- do you guys have a plan to put a fence up or something? If we went with Option A? >> You're really hoping that you wouldn't go with that? >> I don't know. Because the fire pit is, um, well, I thought- I thought it went to the deck and then I went out there and I saw, oh, that firepit is there, so anyway. >> Well, if it has to be moved, it has to be moved. >> Is there anybody up here that's willing to sunset this lease so that [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Can I- can I make a comment before we talk about that? >> It's three years, correct? >> It's three years. >> I'd but I'd like to be able to. Okay, I see what you mean, but I want it to be clear if it's clear only in my mind right now, that at the end of three years, we will have broken ground on a sailing center. A sailing center. I see somebody out there doing this. It could be any sailing center, but it's a sailing center that the people in Paul's Ward can also come to. All right. >> You're fine. Yes. >> So just to clarify pe- people in Paul's Ward can join this club and this [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> They don't want to, they can afford it. >> This thing- what- I mean, that's true of any sailing club. And that's also true of this sailing club, this is a club-run facility. It's not a public facility and- and the difference between, say Rachel and the senior center or the rec center is that city staff so they're the ones who regulate who comes in. So if we were going to run it the way you're thinking, we'd have to have city staff running it. >> That's why I said wasn't going to work. >> It would be under the habour master.[ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Yeah >> And also- I mean this is going to be >> Work. a long process of discussions we're looking at years. >> That's down the road. >> Procuring money [ Overlapping speakers ] >> Well, let me and I'm not opposed to doing- to building the building and- and using the plan that- that we did with the Brownfield money when the time comes. I personally would want to wait and- you know if either the buildings become uninhabitable for whatever reason, either a storm or just because of the roof falling and whatever, the- that's the time then to- to deal with that and we certainly can have a plan and start planning for whatever. But- but it's [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Having that discussion again. Yeah >> I think we need to have it sooner than when the buildings come. >> And no I totally agree with having a plan for it you know and having a discussion about that because it if at some point, these buildings are not going to be useful. But also to build a new building in a flood plain that's a municipal building is going to be very hard to do and very expensive. And this well- it's not okay unless you can raise some money. And these people pay not very much rent, nor can they afford to pay very much rent and we haven't been a landlord so that would be spending an extraordinary amount of money to build something. >> This is an entirely different. >> Well' I know but she's talking about sunset, and that's why I'm bringing it up. And I'm not saying [ Overlapping speakers ]. Yeah, absolutely. And I'm not saying that it wouldn't work or we couldn't do it, but it then we should start talking about it because what it would be but I don't think we should sunset anything until the buildings are in more shape or whatever. >> Can- can I just mention the money that you pay to the sailing club? And I think it's becoming very popular where you pay to belong to a boat club so you can reserve the boat for 03:00 on Saturday or 02:00 on Monday. And it's not like you own a boat, they have boats for you to rent. It's like a rental kind of thing. >> If I could Mayor if I may. >> Yeah. >> The term of the lease is three years. >> Yeah. >> If you, at the end of the three years, elected to be already have another plan in place, that's something you could talk about and you can discuss the plan over this- this issue tonight is understood, is a three-year lease. It's not about you know, and I just wanted to clarify that this is, as Miss Buckley can tell you so a three-year time certain lease. >> Understood. >> Okay. >> It does not have an automatic renewal. I know council member or Vice Mayor Ray had talked in the past about, you know, some issues with automatic renewal so we did remove that. >> The two other questions I had, uh, that I didn't get to you um, , the HRO wasn't referenced in the lease is that? >> [ Overlapping speakers ] It is. >> It is. >> Yes I actually. >> We did have clarification [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Through it today and I- I missed it then. >> Yeah, it- it's clarified. >> All- all of those points that I said were not negotiable were included in front of them. >> Okay. >> Here I'm so sorry. >> All right. Apologies. I missed it. I'm glad it's there. >> There's it, I'm so sorry. >> Here another piece? >> And you look HR. >> The yellow one- the yellow line at the East end on the sea wall. That's just designating where it goes to public water way. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> It's necessary with [inaudible] is in this area right here. >> Okay. All right. Go right ahead. >> The public would have access from [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> She just had a question and then I'll come back. >> Um, I forgot to ask in this lease, it says shall not be made available to put the social or recreational facilities of the BCYC shall not be made available to the public. So I'm kind of a little stepping back and asking should miss Thanos be recused from the lease since she did accept a- a place in the club for a meeting? Remember she had her what was it called? On the edge. Going forward on the edge. Why can't we ask the questions, it's okay to ask it? >> No, it is. >> So, you- you're going to have to explain to me the circumstances should you- were you given the use of the club for free? >> Yes. >> Does the club normally charge for that? >> I don't know. >> No, we do not. >> No. >> And the request came from one of our members [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Not from me. >> Come up. >> Not from. >> You can come up. >> So I can ask. >> Sorry. We just need to so it's on the record. Further focus. >> That's fine- that's fine. Um, the request to use the facility for that particular event, which is a training event, was my understanding came from one of our members who is a member of the group that April was- was working with the time for the Gulfport on the edge. >> Okay. >> And that is permissible for a member to ask to use the facility for something. We are very careful about what it's for. It can't be for political purposes and that's actually in our- in our by-laws. >> Okay. >> No, it's a reasonable question because I had to >> All right. recuse myself back when that was Pinellas Planning counsel because I was a teaching assistant at USF even though it couldn't have had anything less to do with, um, the university on a large scale so it's a reasonable question [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> What was your position in the organization? [ Overlapping speakers ] >> Excuse me. >> What- what is your position in that organization? >> Gives us a lot of trouble. >> It isn't an organization. It was a group of people who were helping to volunteer to put on a town hall. There's no organization. >> You're just put on a town hall? >> Yeah. And it was just a training [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Yeah. >> They not a membership. >> It wasn't- it wasn't a normal town hall. We had facilitated discussions at the town hall, so we were training people to be facilitators at the tables. And there is no organization there's no. >> Nobody paid for- for anything. >> No nobody paid anything. Everybody was volunteers. >> Then I don't think you have a conflict. >> Okay. Thank you. >> There we go. >> And I was just going to clarify. Yes. The people accessing that as I understand, just come in through this way that they can't go all the way through here because it looks like this line goes this way. >> No, you can go through. >> Yeah. >> But how can you go through? Because this is theirs and this is theirs. So where would you go through there? There's not a fence there. >> It's just. >> No fence. >> It's just a [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> No fence. >> And again, this isn't like a surveyor's drawing. This is just for visual representation. >> If you look- if you look. >> There, you could go all the way through, you look at going, and out. >> If you look this is a slide. It misrepresents some of that angle. If you look at the handout that you have in your packet. >> Yeah. >> It has the opening goes down to the end. >> I couldn't see it in there either. But anyway, that's okay. That's clear. >> All right. Well, at this point, somebody needs to make a motion. We've had three people say there. >> I don't no there's a motion. >> We have to amend it to. >> Make a motion as to which either A or B. [ Overlapping speakers ]. >> Option A or B. >> So option for ordinance 2023 03 with A lets. >> We need a second. >> Oh, I'll second that, sir. >> Okay. We have a first and a second. Any other first act further, Counsel, comments or questions before we move on the vote? Anything else you'd like to add? City Attorney. City Manager. All right. We'll call the vote. >> Vice Mayor Ray? >> Yes. >> Council member Ohara? >> No. >> Council Member Thanos? >> No. >> Council Member Brown? >> Yes. >> Mayor Henderson? >> Yes. Carries to passage. Bringing us to. >> Mayor will set this for second reading at your June 6th meeting. >> All right- all right. Thank you. All right. That brings us to ordinance number 2023-04. Actually, this seems like a good point to take a recess, so folks who are specifically here for that one, let's take 12 minutes to meet back here at seven and move on with the rest. That way folks who are just here for that in. Yeah. All right. Short recess. [FOREIGN] >> Come back to order. And now we are moving on to ordinance 2023-04. >> Ordinance 2023-04, first reading and ordinance by the City of Gulfport, Florida, amending portions of Chapter 10.5 Flood Damage Prevention, ame- excuse me, amending portions of Chapter 7 buildings to provide for formatting changes, providing for applicability, providing for the repeal of ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with to the extent of such conflict. Providing for severability and providing for an effective date. >> All right. Thank you very much. Counsel, entertain a motion. >> Motion, we accept. What the heck was it? 2023-04. >> Second. >> I have a first and a second. City manager? Alternative. Mr. McCafe. All right. >> If you have no questions, I can sit down. >> If you can provide a brief summary that's perfect. >> This probably, well, it looks a lot like, uh, an ordinance that was done about three years ago because that's exactly what it is. This is a requirement having the ordinance read almost exactly as it does. We've got this or the verbiage from the state who got it from FEMA. So what we've done is we've incorporated all that into the existing ordinance. And even though it looks big, there's not a lot of changes, but they mostly housekeeping. But there were- this is a- it's a mandated item that is required for us to participate in the community rating system and maintain our current rating at six. >> Is it a three year- year increment, or is it just whenever they do make a change we have to follow suit? >> Yeah. It's just whenever they have, uh, they try to accumulate enough changes. But the substantive change in this doesn't really affect us because it has to do with manufactured housing. We have one manufactured housing park and is not in a flood zone. So good for us now in case someone else, someone came in and wanted to do something that it might affect that or there was one that was in there. We don't have that, so while we have to put this information in there, the verbiage, it's not going to affect the City of Gulfport. >> You're doing a fine job. >> Thank you. >> And that's the only substantive change that's. >> That's yeah, there's like I said, most of it's housekeeping and you can see a lot of stuff look like it was taken out, but it's somewhere else. So that's exactly what it is. Some clarification and some house cleaning- cleaning so that it doesn't get- we have two definitions for something. That's it. >> All right. Any further questions for Mr. McCafe? All right. Thank you very much. Appreciate it here. >> Thank you. >> All right. Public comment on this item. Okay. Seeing no one any further counsel comments or questions? No. You will call the vote. >> Vice Mayor Ray? >> Yes. >> Council member Ohara? >> Yes. >> Council Member Thanos? >> Yes. >> Council Member Brown? >> Yes. >> And Mayor Henderson? >> Yes. Carries to passage unanimously? Bringing us to resolution 2023-36. >> Resolution number 2023-36. A resolution of the City of Gulfport, Florida adopting the annual report for the City of Gulfport Floodplain Management Plan as part of the Pinellas County Multi-Jurisdictional Community Rating System annual report for Floodplain Management through continued participation in the local mitigation working group. >> All right. Entertain a motion, Council. >> I'll make a motion on 2023-30. >> Second. >> Thirty-six, sorry. >> Okay. We have a first and second. How you doing, sir? >> Pretty good. >> Okay. >> I hope you all are doing well too. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, thank you, Michael. >> This is actually a- pretty much a two-part, uh, resolution. The City participates in the CRS program as you all know. As part of that CRS program, communities are supposed to, um, provide a local mitigation strategy plan. Lucky for Pinellas County. Pinellas County has taken the lead in the LMS and it allows the, uh, local jurisdictions to participate and actually get credit in the CRS program for the local mitigation strategy. The local meta- mitigation strategy is actually a plan developed to, uh, reduce, um, or eliminate risks, um, associated with natural and man-made hazards. Currently, the LMS also is the Floodplain Management Plan for the city, which is also a- a requirement of the CRS program. Um, the CRS program allows, uh, local communities to either do their floodplain management plan on their own or be part of a local mitigation strategy. Actually, the county does a lot of the heavy lifting in this area, and it's quite convenient for us to go ahead and be part of the LMS and, uh, have that serve as our local mitigation, uh, strategy plan. Um, basically, um, the information that you have is just an update on the, on the programs that we have within the LMS itself. I know that, um, the spreadsheet, it's difficult to read, uh, when you print it out, but, um, uh, with the PDF you- you can actually blow up and see what programs or projects that the city has in the LMS. The, uh, annual report just, um, gives an update as to the status of the projects. Some of the projects, um, we've done, their accomplishments, and they're in a different table. The LMS has a list of- of programs or projects that are proposed, and they also list the programs or projects that have been completed. That table of the accomplishments is also in the, um, in the update. >> Okay. >> No sense in invent-reinventing the wheel. >> This is true. >> Exactly. >> This is true. And as part of the LMS, um, the LMS requires a program for public information, or the PPI. That's the second, um, um, resolution that you'll be- will be looking at. The PPI, basically, um, is a list of- of, um, information to- to provide to the public, um, uh, some of the things that- that the city does. We have, uh, newsletters that go out to, um, uh, uh, properties within the floodplain. Uh, we have a brochure that's put in the utility bill, um, one activity that's coming up, and I highly encourage everybody to go to it. Uh, next Thursday night, the 25th, there's the hurricane seminar that's going to be held at the Katherine Hickman Theater. Um, we get credit for that. Um, there's storm surge signage. Uh, the signs right now are- are, uh, f- faded. Um, and I've talked to Mr. Nichols about that, and he said that, um, those signs are going to be replaced. Um, and- and again, um, within the, um, um, the- the PPI, um, resolution, um, there- there's a list of- of projects that we do. >> I have one question for you, if you don't mind. Are there any cities in like say Clearwater, Saint Pete? Are there any cities in Pinellas County that don't kind of piggyback on the county In Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council for the miti- Mitigation Strategy Group? Is anybody go it alone? >> Not that I'm aware of. >> Okay. Okay. >> I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> Um, so what are some of the projects that we're working on that are in here, just so people know? >> Okay. Um, let me see. I do have a list. >> It's okay. Take your time. >> I thought I had a list. >> Did- did- is it in the packet? Is the one that says, the Public Works Department carries out annual and ongoing maintenance activities, such as street sweeping and cleaning and drainage. And carries out related duties as participants in the national pollutant discharge elimination. So. >> Yes. That's- that's part of the, um, the LMS. >> So is that what she's asking about? Is that what you're asking about? >> Um, we've got, um, annual newsletters. Um, it goes to the- all the properties within the floodplain. It goes to the repetitive loss areas, uh, repetitive loss properties. And we send out letters to Gulfport contractors, banks, insurance companies in the- and the veteran, um, veterinarian, um, in the city. The annual brochure is put into the utility bills. Um, we've got, um, information that's available at the, um, Gulfport Library. Uh, there's the Hurricane Seminar, um, that annual seminars also, uh, uh, shown on- uh, on GTV. Justin Shay, uh, said that there's also some regular programming regarding flooding that-uh, that's also aired. Um, there's an e-mail blast that's put out, uh, and it does have information, um, uh, flood related and hurricane related. Um, we also distribute the Pinellas County Hurricane Preparation Guide. Um, and the Public Works Department, they also, uh, have these labels that they-they attach to the catch basins and they say dump no waste drains to bay. >> Thank you. What time is the Hurricane Seminar? >> Uh, door's open at 5:00 and it begins at 6:00. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any other questions for- for Michael? All right. Thank you, Mr. Principal Planner. Appreciate it. [Overlapping speakers] >> Welcome. >> Alright, public comment on this item. Okay. See none, other counsel comments, questions? >> Just a comment from being at this, um, uh, resiliency summit. They were commenting on how few people went to shelters for Ian compared to, uh, or maybe before. And that- um, that that was a big worry that people get complacent and- and don't really recognize that the cone can go, you- you know, that you're way better off evacuating even if you don't think you might have to. >> D- but don't you think that maybe, um, you said go to a shelter and then you said evacuate, so. >> Well, either way. What- I mean- [Overlapping speakers], evacuating is better than a shelter. >> Yes. That's what I was going to point out. [Overlapping speakers] >> That it's your last resort. >> Yes. Yes. >> That's exactly what we were talking about at the- um, at the state of the beaches a couple of weeks ago. Um, that's the concern across the board. When you- when you live in a coastal community, it's funny how nonpartisan the weather gets in a hurricane season. >> Yes. Yes. >> So that was the- legitimately the- one of the main concerns is complacency from so many- from so many folks and the understanding that, uh, like you said before, we're- we're all one named storm from a very different life. >> Right we are? >> And- and especially people need to realize that if they don't evacuate or go to a shelter, whatever, that there's not going to be anybody to help them because, you know, firefighters and police have to take care of their families and- and be safe too. >> Exactly. And there's a point where those folks are not going to get sent out. >> Yeah. >> So that's why they call it the cone of uncertainty instead of the cone of certainty, I guess. All right. I guess we can call a vote. >> Vice Mayor Ray? >> Yes. >> Council member Ohara? >> Yes. >> Council Member Thanos? >> Yes. >> Council Member Brown? >> Yes. >> Mayor Henderson? >> Yes. Carries the passage. Bring us to your last resolution of the night, 2023-37. >> Resolution number 2023-37. A resolution of the City of Gulfport, Florida adopting the annual report for the City of Gulfport Program for Public Information as part of the Pinellas County Multi Jurisdictional Community Rating System annual report program for Public Information through continued city participation in the county wide flood risk and mitigation Public Information Working Group. >> Mayor, this is simply the ministerial aspect of it. >> Okay. All right. I will entertain a motion, Counsel. >> Motion we accept resolution 2023-37 >> Second. >> I have a first and a second. Anything else you'd like to add? This is just getting- getting it all in line, correct? >> Yes. >> We're just participating in those- in those projects, um, again, we're not the only city that's doing these projects. So it's- it's- um, everybody's in that group, in the working group, they- they like- they will share information. >> Fantastic. >> So, um, I don't have anything else to add unless you all have questions. >> This is the kind of the dotting the i's and crossing the t's component? >> Yes, it is. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Thanks, Mike. >> All right. Public comment on this item? Yes. >> David Cantor again, 5709 16th Avenue South. Uh, really quickly, I do appreciate the note about the potential refurbishment of the flood signs. Um, for those of us who live a little bit higher up, um, what I would love to see, and I- I again, always appreciate the due diligence and all the work that goes into this. But as you get a little bit further up, a little bit further from the immediate triage area, it would be helpful if as part of any public communication that goes out. If, like those of us who are further up get a little bit more information about what flood strategies and what flooding may look like up there. Because, you know, its- it-it truly is an absolute necessity for, you know, wards 1 and 2 but wards 3 and 4, I think, a little bit of additional information might help, A, little bit more. And to be honest, like I'm-I'm a Tampa boy born and raised. Like I've lived here my entire life, except for when I lived somewhere else for a little bit. Like I have an understanding of the risks and the nature and all that jazz, but I know on 40-49th or 58th where that water is going to come to. But like getting a little bit further up, getting past 22nd Avenue South, like I would love to have a deeper understanding, more publicly communicated about what it looks like up there. Thank you. >> All right. >> Thank you. Anyone else for public comment? All right. We will call a vote. >> Vice Mayor Ray? >> Yes. >> Council member Ohara? >> Yes. >> Council member Thanos? >> Yes. Council Member Brown? >> Yes. >> Mayor Henderson? >> Yes. Carries the passage unanimously. Any new business from any council members tonight? >> Yes. >> Okay.[ Overlapping speakers] >> You first. >> Yeah. >> My, uh, first thing is- is that, uh, I know that we have a number of people who have applied to the board, um, and I'm curious, are we going to get the- the- their list the day of the vote or a few days before? Tha- the- that's- >> So the- the way it's typically been done is when it's released with the agenda, you would get the listing or you would get every application. It would be in one- um. >> So the Friday before? >>The Friday before, correct. >> It's still open until the 30th, right? >> Correct. Yes, ma'am. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Anything else? >> That's it. >> All right. >> Well, up to that point, I was going to request, because it closes on the 30th, if we could get them, for instance, on the first or second, so that we have a little bit more time to talk to people if we want to or whatever, so that, you know, we- we're a little better informed. And- and she said that, you know, I have to ask so that we can all approve that we do that because it would need to, of course, go to all of us. >> That's fine. If you want to e-mail out the list as soon as you have- you have it prepared and you know who's in, that's fine. >> Okay. I'll send it to Mayor and council, uh, through e-mail. >> And then I wanted to see if it was okay if I had the presentation from Gulfport on the edge on the January- I mean, the June 20th meeting. >> I was going to say January? [Overlapping speakers]. >> We don't need that much time. >> Okay. >> At the June what meeting? >> 20th. >> Who's presenting? >> That's all being worked out still. We'll probably have two or three people. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> What kind of time frame are we looking at? >> Probably 20- 20 min. >> Okay. All right. Sounds good. Anyone else with new business? >> I don't even know what new business is. We went around the clock about this last time. >> It's different from the old business. [Overlapping speakers] >> Um, no discussion items tonight. Any general comments or council reports? >> Council reports. >> I do. >> I go? >> Anything for you? >> Yeah. [ Overlapping speakers ] >> Um, I went to the Fire Rescue, um, 101, which was very, very interesting. Um, actually, it was a lot of fun. >> I have pictures- I have pictures. >> Did you capture everything? >> Yeah. Oh my God. Like 75- almost 75 pounds worth of gear you have to wear. I drank a whole thing, a pedialyte and it was like just absolutely, um, dry when I got home,